VIII

8.—6

Hospital and Charitable Aid. An increase of about £20,000 is estimated this year for subsidies to Hospital Boards. The increase is due entirely to a large number of outstanding claims, which were not received until after the close of the last financial year, and consequently require to be provided for on this year's estimates. Hospitals. Details of hospital expenditure are now being subjected to a much closer scrutiny than formerly, and increased efficiency and economy should be the result. A scheme has been initiated whereby crippled children, and especially those suffering from infantile paralysis, are able to obtain treatment at the Military Hospitals at Rotorua and Trentham. At the present time upwards of 140 children, in addition to this special medical treatment, are bein?; educated in the special schools that have been established by the Education Department at the hospitals mentioned. A Hospital Commission sat during the recess to consider certain hospital matters which were referred to them, and especially the question of subsidies to Hospital Boaids. The report has been submitted, and amending legislation will be introduced dealing with many of the recommendations. DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS. Dominion Laboratory. The receipts during the year were as follows : For analyses, £94 ; for licenses under the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Act, 1908, £687 ; charges for storage of explosives in Government magazines, £978. Censorship of Cinematograph-films. Films to the number of 3,146, containing 4,920,000 ft., have been examined by the Censor. Of these, thirty-eight were rejected, while excisions were made in 240. "A" certificates — i.e., recommending the picture as being more suitable for adults than for children —were issued in 105 cases. The revenue amounted to £1,544, which is in excess of the expenditure. Registrar-General's Office. The revenue of this Office for the last financial year amounted to £19,569, being an increase of over £1,000 on the revenue for the previous year. This is a record for the. Department. Weights and Measures. The fees collected in connection with the administration of the Weights and Measures Act, 1908, amount to £379. Passports. Fees collected for the issue of passports amount to £2,078. The total for renewals is £35. War Funds Office. The following are particulars of the funds : — £ In the hands of approved incorporated societies .. 1,100,000 New Zealand War Relief Fund .. . . .. 661 Convalescent Home Account . . . . .. 1,280 War Expenses Account . . . . .. .. 1,437 New Zealand Comforts Account . . . . .. 1,475 Sundry small accounts .. . . . . .. 86 New Zealand National War Funds Council .. 38,000 On transfer to New Zealand National Wax Funds Council .. .. .. .. .. 55,000 In the hands of the High Commissioner, now the subject of reallocation .. .. .. 29,806 £1,227,745